U.S. Mayors want more natural gas for city fleets

Mayors from across the country gathered in Oklahoma City this past weekend for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Their agenda covered everything from federal immigration reform and after-school programs to drug enforcement and Superfund sites. It was a busy weekend.

While immigration reform probably doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of mayors, one subject discussed at the convention was soundly within their job descriptions – the greening of municipal fleets. On Monday, the group unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to encourage greater use of natural gas in vehicles. This isn't the first time the mayors have spoken out for or against a specific fuel. Back in 2008 we told you about about their oil sands boycott. National Gas Alliance CEO Regina Hopper was understandably pleased with the resolution:

We applaud the U.S. Conference of Mayors for uniting behind the important concept that natural gas helps clean the air and is an abundant American resource that can shift our reliance to domestically produced energy. The mayors' emphasis on natural gas should serve as a model for federal and state policymakers.

The resolution passed by the mayors encourages Congress to create legislation that supports expanded research programs to help put natural gas engines in more vehicles as well as offers tax incentives for buying natural gas vehicles and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel.

[Source: NewsOK]